Chats

A few bright notes to complement the leaves… the VYCC-Riders work on Chain Gang in Phen Basin State Forest was reviewed by VT-FPR this week and given high marks. We’ve still got lots to do to finish the entire project, but the pieces that are done are challenging, fun and bomber-built. Come help on Sunday, and hopefully we’ll get the biggest section connected and open.

We’re excited to share that Mt. Ellen has been chosen as the host site for the 2016 VT MTB Fest on July 22-24. 2016 is the 10th anniversary for the Fest and the 30th Anniversary for the Mad River Riders. Get ready to roll the MEllen!

Finally, this week the Riders took a huge step closer to getting permission from VT-FPR for the new intermediate Evolution trail that will be parallel to Cyclone in Camel’s Hump State Forest, providing a fun climb/descent option all the way from Lareau Farm-Flatbread to Tucker Hill Rd. Many many thanks to our awesome landowners at Dana Forest Farm, the Laskowski family for allowing us to cross their land onto state land.

The Riders and the VYCC are working together on the new reroutes and have gotten some sweet sections built. We expect to drop the rope on the longest one in the next two weeks, while one of the shorter lines closer to Phen Rd is open, featuring pitched stone bridges, a large boulder berm, a few drop choices and a rock rollover.

More help is needed to complete these fun routes. Stay tuned for official trail days. Rolling!

Suki’s Alley at Blueberry Lake opens today. Please enjoy the new trail, which starts near the two stream crossings on Tootsie Roll and descends towards Lenord’s Loop near the main bridge. Due to the design of the trail, featuring steeper grades, potential for higher speeds and places where one or both tires might lift off the ground, the USFS, the Riders and Sinuosity decided to make it a one-way route.

The USFS has added a “Most Difficult” sign, but we caution that this a relative scale for the Blueberry Lake network only. Compared to the rest of the Riders’ network throughout the Valley, Suki’s Alley is non-technical and would earn an intermediate rating, based on the smooth roll-ability of the trail.

The expert challenge comes from being able to ride the trail with minimal braking/pedalling and maximum amplitude. Look for multiple line choices on select features.

Many thanks to VMBA, USFS, Sustainable Trailworks, Sinuosity Trails, the Mad River Riders, VT-FPR, the Town of Warren, the MRV Chamber, MRV Rec District, the students and teachers of Harwood Union and GMVS, Tony Amenta, Ali Zimmer and all our supporters and friends.

The Riders made the front page of the Valley Reporter this week for the new Suki’s Alley trail at Blueberry Lake. Construction is almost complete, expect a grand opening soon. Many thanks to MRR’s board member Tony Amenta and the Sinuosity Trails team for all their work! www.valleyreporter.com

Momentum is rolling and we started building the state-mandated reroutes on Chain Gang last weekend and have another Sunday trail day from 1-4PM tomorrow. A VYCC crew will be moving into Phen Basin in the next two weeks too. Please join, volunteer and support our work!

This Sunday from 1-4PM, the Riders are starting construction on the first of the Chain Gang reroutes. Meet at the end of Phen Rd, off Bragg Hill or #9 Rd. Walt will be leading the crew through clearing a short section of reroute, creating and properly draining the tread and rehabbing the failing section. We’ll have tools, but more leaf/rock rakes, cutter mattocks, mcleods, rock picks/bars, buckets and dirt bags are welcome. Remember eye protection, gloves, good boots and a smile. Expect fun rock features and sweet ninja lines. Thank you!

The Riders are in the middle of a very busy building season, with new trails at Blueberry Lake and Eurich Pond, plus major renovations on Enchanted Forest and Chain Gang. Please consider joining, renewing and volunteering, we can’t do it without you!

The Enchanted Forest Bridge was damaged last season by a fallen maple and local Boy Scout/Mad River Rider Tyler Skroski has made it his Eagle Scout Project to replace it. Tyler is looking for help this Friday, August 7th at 5PM moving building materials and over the weekend August 8th and 9th at 9AM reconstructing this bridge in Howe Block-Camel’s Hump State Forest near the top of Tucker Hill Road in Waitsfield.

We are grateful for Tyler’s energy and support. Please help, even if you only have a few hours to spare. No experience is required, just the desire to participate in this great project.

The riding season is still young. Please also renew your Mad River Riders membership today, if you have not already. Remember to select the Mad River Riders as your primary chapter. Your support helps us build and maintain our trails. Thank you! https://vmba.org/membership

The Riders are excited to work with Sinuosity Trails again, this time on the new Suki’s Alley at Blueberry Lake. Featuring steeper grades and rock/wood features, the trail should add some spice to the network, while increasing loop options. The corridor has been cleared already, with a mix of pro and volunteer help. We’re hoping for a mid to late summer opening!

The trails are free to use for hiking and biking, but not free to build and maintain. Please help us by becoming a member, contributing financial support and volunteering. http://madriverriders.com/membership/